Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: A Face as if the World Had Collapsed
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It was an expression as if the world had collapsed.
Consecutively selected as Variety International Music Leader in 2019 and 2020.
Likewise, consecutively selected for Billboard International Power Players in 2019 and 2020.
He had already produced over five groups, and anything he touched turned into a mega hit, earning him the moniker "Miracle Hands" among industry insiders.
Ki Jeongpyo, founder and CEO of JP, as well as its executive producer—his biggest preoccupation these days was none other than Ever's world tour, set to kick off in just a few months.
When JP still lacked that one crucial element to rise among the major agencies—a breakout megahit artist—Ever was the group that had benefited most from his direct involvement.
An idol group that had soared to success without a single scandal.
Not only had they poured their all into training for even higher proficiency to deliver the ultimate idol performance, but...
Even now, six years in, all five members never forgot the fundamental truth that they existed because of their fans, forging ever-deeper bonds with them.
From Ki Jeongpyo's perspective as the one running the company, everything about Ever that elevated JP to the level of other major agencies was a blessing—and providing them with unwavering support was only natural.
Now, with their seventh debut anniversary just months away, the world tour he was planning was the largest-scale tour of any existing girl group.
Spanning 20 countries including Korea, the US, Canada, the UK, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, and more, over a full year—it had been in preparation for just over 13 months.
The essence of a concert was delivering the artist's performance to the audience without distortion.
Countless people were giving their all in their respective roles to make it happen, and even from behind his desk, Ki Jeongpyo was leading by example, personally scouting venues to prepare the ultimate stage.
"Producer, um... I want to go public with my relationship."
Today, Ki Jeongpyo's world collapsed.
The CEO's office on the 10th floor.
I exchanged a brief nod with the secretary and followed her guidance into the representative director's office.
It had been nearly three years since I'd last set foot here.
"Oh, Chaewon, you've arrived."
The Producer greeted me with his usual hearty laugh, warm and welcoming.
The last time I'd seen his face was a year ago, when talk of preparing an album and planning the world tour had come up. Coming here after so long, specifically for this dating announcement, felt oddly surreal.
"Producer, aren't you swamped these days?"
I'd asked out of awkward politeness, flashing a sheepish smile.
"If you're telling me you're dating, what could be more important than that?"
The Producer seemed just as flustered; even after more than an hour on the phone, the mere mention of "dating" made his hand tremble faintly.
"Weird. They say this chamomile's great for calming nerves, but why isn't it working after two cups?"
Gazing out the window, he let out another awkward chuckle.
He set down his teacup and hurriedly gestured for me to sit on the sofa.
I bowed my head slightly as I took my seat, and the PD sat down too, fixing his gaze steadily on my face.
We exchanged awkward glances, smiling embarrassedly in the heavy silence, until I finally parted my lips cautiously.
"I remembered what you said before, Producer. That you'd be okay with me dating, but maybe in about three years."
"Did I say that?"
"Yes. It was back in 2021. I'd randomly messaged you after seeing a regular couple on a variety show."
"Somehow, it's 2023 instead of 2024 when the dating talk starts."
"...Yeah. Things just kinda snowballed like that."
It wasn't like we'd done anything wrong, but it wasn't something to bring up boldly either, so an embarrassed laugh escaped me naturally.
"...Want some chamomile too, Chaewon?"
"Oh, thank you. I'll make it myself."
I shot up from my seat, but he insisted on doing it himself, refusing my offer outright.
For the record, the age gap between me and the Producer was two zodiac cycles plus six years—thirty years total.
"...Looks like it takes three or four cups for the calming effect to kick in."
"Yeah. Probably need about 500ml."
"Haha."
What do I even do with this atmosphere?
Unlike with Yoon-ah the PD or Jae-hoon the writer, where I'd gotten permission more easily, my lips just wouldn't move here.
And understandably so—the Producer was like a second father or an uncle to me.
I knew how much effort he'd poured into us over the past six years; just tallying it up made simple thanks feel insufficient, leaving me torn between two thoughts.
One was the awkwardness of announcing a public relationship as an idol to the company, and the strange embarrassment of introducing my boyfriend-to-be to a family elder.
...Of course, the fact that we weren't officially dating yet was the bigger issue.
"That guy, right? Your childhood friend you've known for ages."
As I sat there silently chugging tea, the Producer spoke first.
I nodded faintly in affirmation.
"Honestly, it'd be weird to say I didn't see it coming. He's been supporting you diligently since trainee days."
"...That's true."
"Six years, huh... Yeah. Six years is a long time to hold out. It's complicated."
He gave a wry smile and sipped his tea.
Swallowing repeatedly as he pondered deeply, he soon fixed his gaze on my face again.
"That friend of yours—he's handsome, isn't he? I remember wanting to hand him my business card the moment I saw him."
"...Have you met Yumin before?"
"I have. Back when you were really struggling."
A story I'd never heard before made my eyes widen in surprise.
And of all times, it had to be then.
As I stared at him with wide eyes, the Producer chuckled and continued.
"He said he could only spare about ten minutes because he had to rush off after finishing his schedule. I said okay and headed to your hospital room, and right then, he was coming out."
"......"
"He told me you'd just fallen asleep. The moment he saw me, that's all he said. His eyes didn't show he didn't know who I was, and he didn't seem intimidating either—just this peculiar presence about him."
"Yumin said that...?"
"Oh, not that he was rude or anything. Later, he bowed deeply and said he was counting on me to take good care of you, and to please be even more attentive to your mental health next time. Very polite. I found out afterward he was your childhood friend."
The Producer took a sip of tea and let out a soft sigh.
I let out a soft sigh too.
My breathing quivered faintly.
Aside from the occasional "great stage" comment, Yumin had never once brought up the entertainment industry first since my debut.
So I couldn't imagine it.
Yumin speaking up to the Producer on my behalf, in a place I didn't know about.
At the same time, I wondered why I hadn't imagined it.
You, who messaged me every week after my comebacks saying you'd watched my stages.
"So, you're here about a dating clause that's not even in your contract? You know I'm pretty hands-off."
As I wore a self-mocking smile, the Producer leaned forward, looking at me with kind eyes.
Meeting his gaze, I answered steadily.
"I thought it was the right thing to tell you first, Producer. You got me this far."
"Even if it's thanks to me, how much could it really be? It's because you, Minah, Yerin, Serin, and May did so well—and because the fans believed in you five."
"...Still, thank you, Producer."
"If you're grateful, just manage your condition well for the tour and give your all on stage. That's all I ask of you, Chaewon."
He nodded with a gentle smile.
"Dating, huh... Yeah. Have a beautiful romance. Ha... This is driving me nuts."
A helpless laugh escaped him as he hung his head, drawing an involuntary chuckle from me too.
"If dating rumors pop up later, the company will back you up and acknowledge it."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
"But I'm really curious, so I have to ask... when did you two become a couple?"
"...That's actually the key point...?"
"Huh?"
As he set down his teacup and tilted his head in confusion, I gave an awkward smile too.
"Did you happen to see the vlog I did with Yumin this time?"
"Yeah. Didn't watch it all, but it made tons of headlines. ...Why?"
Sensing the ominous vibe, the Producer swallowed dryly, struggling to keep a straight face.
Lips pursed inward, left corner of his mouth twitching up...
"I'm planning to start a personal YouTube channel and post about me and Yumin."
It was that exact expression I'd seen often during my trainee days.
"From the painful stories to how our relationship deepened—everything."
"Huh?"
It was an expression as if the world had collapsed.